Commentary
Thomas de Waal
{
"authors": [
"Thomas de Waal"
],
"type": "commentary",
"centerAffiliationAll": "",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"Carnegie Europe",
"Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center"
],
"collections": [],
"englishNewsletterAll": "",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Europe",
"programAffiliation": "",
"programs": [],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"Caucasus",
"Russia"
],
"topics": [
"Political Reform",
"Security"
]
}
Source: Getty
Commentary
Caucasus Emir Seeks a Re-Brand
The roots of the insurgency in the North Caucasus remain: local muslims, especially in Dagestan, still experience rule by Moscow as brutal and corrupt and feel they have no stake in Russian society. These roots are only likely to get deeper as Russia becomes more autocratic.
Published on Jul 2, 2014
On June 29 a video was released of the new head of the Caucasus Emirate, the organization that claims to lead the Islamist insurgency in Russia's North Caucasus. Ali Abu Muhammad, previously known as Aliaskhab Kebekov, caused a stir by disavowing suicide bombings by women and said he disapproved of attacks which might result in the killing of women and children.
Kebekov was declared the new leader of the Emirate in March, after the death was announced of Doku Umarov—even though Umarov had been reported dead for many months before that.
Umarov had claimed responsibility for a string of horrible terrorist attacks that caused high civilian casualties such as the bombing of Domodedovo airport in January 2011.
The "Emirate" is in fact no such thing. Websites used for recruiting and fund-raising give the impression that it is a broad-based movement, but it has no structure and no economic base on the ground. Its adherents are the heirs of the most desperate and zealous of the fighters who fought the two wars against the Russian state in Chechnya. They live in hiding across the North Caucasus, perpetually hunted by the security forces.
Kebekov's appointment as "emir" marked a power shift within this shadowy organization. He is the first North Caucasus Islamist leader who is a Dagestani, not a Chechen. Experts say this is because the insurgency is now rooted in Dagestan, not Chechnya, where it has withered away in recent years.
So at first glance the emir's announcement of a "re-brand" can be interpreted as a sign of weakness. Threats by the militants to attack the Sochi Olympics did not materialize—although they did stage acts of terror in Volgograd before the Games. That suggests they can cause random acts of mayhem, but not wage a sustained and popular campaign.
However, there is no room for complacency. The roots of the insurgency in the North Caucasus remain: local Muslims, especially in Dagestan, still experience rule by Moscow as brutal and corrupt and feel they have no stake in Russian society. These roots are only likely to get deeper as Russia becomes more autocratic.
Moreover, the spectacular success of the Islamist movement ISIS (the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) in Syria and Iraq will surely have an impact on the North Caucasus. Many of the leading jihadis of ISIS come from the Caucasus, including Omar al-Shishani, who comes from Georgia's Pankisi Gorge.
If even a fraction of the vast amounts of money ISIS is said to have seized in Iraq makes a way back to the North Caucasus, it could boost the militants there, just as Kebekov's less radical posture may win him some more recruits from the ranks of the abused and the disaffected.
About the Author
Thomas de Waal
Senior Fellow, Carnegie Europe
Thomas de Waal is a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, specializing in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
- There Is No Shortcut for Europe in Armenia
- Rewiring the South Caucasus: TRIPP and the New Geopolitics of ConnectivityArticle
Thomas de Waal, Areg Kochinyan, Zaur Shiriyev
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Europe
- Can Europe Compete with the United States and China?Commentary
Between the United States’ market-driven approach and China's state-led industrial strategy, Europe is reckoning with how it can remain competitive in the global economy. But is Europe in danger of becoming a U.S. or China colony?
Noah Barkin, Anu Bradford
- EU Enlargement Forgets EuropeansCommentary
Preparing candidate countries for EU membership is no longer enough. As the enlargement process becomes a reality, the union must also prepare its own societies.
Iliriana Gjoni
- Deciphering Europe’s Relationship with TurkeyCommentary
Debate is heating up on how Turkey could be integrated into a common European defense framework. Commercial and industrial deals offer a better chance at alignment than sweeping political efforts.
Marc Pierini
- EU Integration Without Ratification?Article
Countries face several hurdles in joining the EU, including the final stage of ratifying their accession treaties. Procedural reforms and substantive adjustments could help move the process forward.
Stefan Lehne
- There Is No Shortcut for Europe in ArmeniaCommentary
Europe has an interest in supporting Armenian leader Nikol Pashinyan as he tries to make peace with neighbors and loosen ties with Russia. But it is depersonalized support in the long term, not quickfire flash, that will win the day.
Thomas de Waal
